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The battles from the perspective of this MGB in the 2012 Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix are fun and worth a watch on their own (man, this driver works through the traffic!). More importantly though, take a moment to look at the setting: Look at those low brick walls, bridges, and the brief glimpses of the glass structure of the conservatory. Now appreciate that this event is not happening in Sicily in 1962, or Brescia in 1951, or Pebble Beach in 1955. This is a race you can go and watch next year. I still can’t believe that they pulled it off. I still hope that more municipalities will find the will and the passion to do the same. I look forward to attending the Central Park Vintage Grand Prix, the Detroit Belle Isle Vintage Road Races, the Hyde Park Historics, and the Lincoln Park GP Classic.

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Gary Mason sent us a whole pile of his photographs shot as a teenager during his travels through Europe hitting every motor race he could. His passion for racing, however, did not wane once he was back stateside. Here is a collection of his photos from the 1960 SCCA Nationals at Marlboro Motor Raceway in Maryland. Some great images here from the President’s Cup race which featured a wide variety of machines ranging from the heavy iron of Corvettes and big Ferraris down to Porsches and Lotus Elevens.

I love these mixed grids, especially when the finish order isn’t just a descending list of horsepower. Roger Penske took the day in his Porsche 718 after taking over the lead from fellow 718 driver Bob Holbert on the 3rd lap. If we were giving out trophies for aesthetics I’d be tempted to give a special prize to Bill Mitchell’s Corvette. That Stingray still looks exotic.

There are some photos from additional races that weekend, but I’m not immediately finding documentation about this MGA heavy grid or the little blue Devin.

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Our mid-engine car is a fair-weather friend that won’t let you down in foul weather. On sunny days, the top snaps off in less than a minute, stores under the rear trunk lid and takes up almost no room at all. On rainy days the top locks back on almost as fast. And because it’s fiberglass, it won’t leak or rip. Unlike fabric.

But a friend is more than a fiberglass top. First of all, it’s a two-seater in the classic sports car tradition.

And right behind the two seats is an engine in our race car tradition.

The mid-engine concept gives the Porsche 914 a whole bundle of advantages over ordinary cars.

It holds the road better because its centre of gravity is lower.

It corners better, because there’s no heavy frond end to steer and no heavy back end to slide out.

It brakes faster and saves tire life because all the wheels carry a more equal load.

It also comes with a built-in roll bar, electronic fuel injection, 5 speed synchromesh transmission and two trunks.

Best of all, you can get all of this for a whole lot less than you would expect to pay to own a Porsche. Really.

But don’t just settle for an impression from an ad. Test drive the Porsche 914 yourself. Swing it into a few corners. Pop off the fiberglass top.

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I thought I’d seen every possible accessory and customization for the 911, but I’m really digging these Ignition Switch Cover Decals from Car Bone Liveries. It’s such a subtle little touch that is not too ostentatious, not too enthusiastically screaming “outlaw!”. They’re just a nice little detail that pays tribute to a favorite racing livery or Porsche-inspired pattern. I like the tartan myself.. Now I just need the matching seats… and the car.